Tiger Woods withdraws from Ryder Cup consideration

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Tiger Woods won't be playing in the Ryder Cup because his back needs time to heal.

Story highlights

Tiger Woods has played in seven Ryder Cups

He has been suffering from back spasms recently

He played in PGA Championship but didn't score well enough to make final rounds

U.S. captain Tom Watson says he's disappointed, thanks Woods for telling him his decision early

Tiger Woods, who quit a recent PGA Tour event because of back spasms, withdrew Wednesday from consideration for the United States Ryder Cup team, the golfer announced on his website.

"I've been told by my doctors and trainer that my back muscles need to be rehabilitated and healed. They've advised me not to play or practice now," Woods wrote.

Woods, 38, was a potential selection by U.S. captain Tom Watson for the team, but the 14-time major tournament winner said the match play event against Europe's best golfers meant too much and he shouldn't play if he couldn't give it his best effort.

"Of course, I'm disappointed that Tiger Woods has asked not to be considered for the U.S. Ryder Cup team, and that his health is not where he would like it to be," Watson said, according to the PGA's website. "However, I think we can all agree that we need Tiger Woods in this great sport, and he has taken the high road by informing me early on in the selection process."